Air Force families celebrate the holiday time with parade and tree lighting

Airmen from the 366th Fighter Wing participated in a base holiday parade Dec. 8, 2017, at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. The Airmen represented their squadrons by bring several different pieces of equipment and vehicles to showcase during the parade. (U.S. Air Force photos by Senior Airman Lauren-Taylor Levin)

Katie Powers, spouse of 366th Operations Group first sergeant, her children and Col. Joe Kunkel, 366th Fighter Wing commander, cheer as the button to light the bases Christmas tree has been pushed Dec. 8, 2017, at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. The night events consisted of the holiday parade, the base tree lighting, Christmas caroling and Gunfighter Glow. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren-Taylor Levin)

Children look through Santa's toy sack for a toy to keep Dec. 8, 2017, at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. After Gunfighter Glow families and children were able to talk to Santa and tell them what they wanted for Christmas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren-Taylor Levin)

Lit bags glow after Gunfighter Glow on Dec. 8, 2017 at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. The bags will stay in place during the holiday season to remember all Gunfighters who are currently deployed and away from their loved ones. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren-Taylor Levin)

A child looks into a glowing bag during Gunfighter Glow Dec. 8, 2017, at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. Each glow stick represents an Airman who currently deployed from the 366th Fighter Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren-Taylor Levin)

A child smiles as he see's Santa approaching during the holiday parade Dec. 8, 2017, at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. The parade float participants tossed candy and toys at children who watched the parade. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren-Taylor Levin)

Children catch candy from float participants during the holiday parade Dec. 8, 2017, at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. The holiday parade visited several areas around the base to include base housing, the child development center and the youth center. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren-Taylor Levin)

Families of deployed Gunfighters stand and talk to one another during Gunfighter Glow Dec. 8, 2017, at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. Gunfighter Glow was created to bring to light of the number of Gunfighters that are currently deployed and away from their loved ones during the holiday season. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren-Taylor Levin)

Master Sgt. Shawn Houser, 366th Equipment Maintenance Squadron first sergeant, waves and smiles with Santa during the holiday parade Dec. 8, 2017 at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. The holiday parade visited several areas around the base to include base housing, the child development center and the youth center. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren-Taylor Levin)

Gunfighters and their families break glow sticks during Gunfighter Glow Dec. 8, 2017, at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. Gunfighter Glow was created to bring to light of the number of Gunfighters that are currently deployed and away from their loved ones during the holiday season. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren-Taylor Levin)

MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --
The 366th Force Support Squadron held a holiday parade and tree lighting here on Dec. 8, 2017.

During the parade, several squadrons threw candy and waved at children throughout base housing, the youth center, child development center, chapel and the base exchange.

“I was so happy to Santa,” said a child of a deployed member. “He was big, tall and he threw candy and toys at me.”

Once the parade finished, Christmas carols were sung and people gathered around the base Christmas tree prior to it being lit.

“Deployments are tough and support from your base can make all the difference,” said Katie Powers, spouse of Master Sgt. Daniel Powers 366th Operations Group first sergeant. “Events like Gunfighter Glow provide a time for us to come together and talk to other families who understand what you are going through.

To complete the night, family members of deployed Airmen from the 366th Fighter Wing participated in the annual Gunfighter Glow event.

Gunfighter Glow was created to remember Airmen who are currently deployed to various locations. Each family, spouse or friend is given one glow stick to represent their loved one and is placed in various bags at Holt Park.

“It’s special to me to know that I have people here that I can call on when I need help me when my spouse is gone,” said a spouse of a deployed member.